My Corner of the World

Hi, I’m Lori.

And if we haven’t met yet, consider this a warm, genuine hello from someone who has stumbled, paused, fallen short, grown, and learned more times than she can count.

Life, as I’ve come to understand it, rarely moves in a straight line.

It curves.

It stops without warning.

Sometimes it pulls us backward before gently pushing us forward again.

And often, the challenges we wish away are the very experiences that quietly shape us into stronger, more grounded versions of ourselves.

Over the years, I’ve worn many hats.

I’ve been a teacher, standing in classrooms and realizing that learning goes both ways.

I’ve been an entrepreneur, building ideas from nothing, navigating uncertainty, and discovering resilience in moments when quitting felt tempting.

I’ve worked as a life coach, listening to real, vulnerable stories that reminded me just how deeply connected we all are through our struggles and hopes.

And I’m a writer, someone who uses words to understand the world, and sometimes, to survive it.

But beyond the titles and roles, I’m simply someone who looks for meaning in the ordinary.

I notice lessons hidden in chaos.

I find beauty in quiet moments.

I pay attention to emotions that often go unspoken and stories that are easily overlooked.

That’s what I write about.

My stories live at the intersection of life, learning, and mental health—because that’s where real life happens.

Not in perfection.

Not in carefully curated moments.

But in the spaces where we’re still figuring things out.

I don’t write as someone who has everything figured out.

I don’t have all the answers.

I write as someone who is still learning, still growing, still healing in real time.

Along this journey, I’ll also be sharing my experiences living in Japan and the realities of life back home in my country.

Sometimes these stories will sit side by side.

Sometimes they will contrast sharply.

I’ll talk about cultural differences, daily routines, values, expectations, and the unspoken rules that shape how people live, think, and connect.

I’ll share moments of wonder, moments of culture shock, moments of loneliness, and moments of deep gratitude.

I’ll reflect on what it means to belong, to adapt, and to hold onto your identity while learning to exist in a completely different space.

There are things Japan has taught me—about discipline, silence, respect, and structure.

And there are lessons my home country has given me—about community, resilience, warmth, and finding joy even in uncertainty.

Moving between these two worlds has changed how I see people, success, struggle, and myself.

Sometimes I’ll write about how different these experiences are.

Other times, I’ll write about how surprisingly similar they can be.

Because no matter where we come from, so many of our fears, hopes, and questions are shared.

I believe these contrasting experiences are stories many people are curious about; stories that spark reflection, understanding, and meaningful conversation.

Writing helps me make sense of all of it.

It helps me slow down and listen to myself and to the world around me.

Sometimes I write for clarity.

Sometimes for healing.

And sometimes simply because I hope my words might help you pause, reflect, or feel seen.

If something I write makes you feel understood, then the writing has done its job.

With each story, my hope is to remind you that growth is possible—even when life feels messy, confusing, or unfinished.

That becoming yourself is a process, not a destination.

And that it’s okay to be learning as you go.

This space isn’t about perfection.

It’s about honesty.

It’s about curiosity.

It’s about becoming; slowly, imperfectly, intentionally—who we’re meant to be.

So here’s to new words.

To honest thoughts.

To shared experiences across cultures and continents.

And to the courage it takes to keep showing up, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.

Welcome to my space.

I’m truly happy to be here.

And even more grateful that you are here with me.

Let’s grow together.